wow tough call , the 2008 as a better frame whit the alliance Carbon/Alu composition but the 2009 as better parts package IMO , iPefer Juicy 3 to any hayes , XT and X7 are pretty much the same.Mavic are better than WTB rims , dont know about the SLX shifter tho.i would get the 2009 , a carbon/alu alliance frame is not worth the Marzo over the RockShox , the Recon Air is very , very good. I have been running the 140mm for 2 seasons now and it's been performing great.

I weigh 250 pounds so I always have to be careful about the fork.My first and Current bike has a Marz MZ Race, but I couldn't tune it in so I always rode lockout. Not the best thing when there is no pressure release valve.

It is sort of six of one, half a dozen of the other. They are very similar bikes that are being compared. Almost all the components are very similar in terms of price, durability, and weight. There aren't too many noticable differences. There are just a few minor things but nothing that screams pick one over the other as they are very similar bikes. I'd go with the XTC 0 for the same reasons listed above.